Metal
Slug fans should be drooling over this release. It
features two very hard to find arcade games in one
package. There are no difficulty settings to unlock,
no extra mode or multi-player modes. What you get
here is a near-perfect recreation of the arcade versions
of Metal Slug Four and Five.

Metal
Slug is a pure action shooter. It's fast, furious
and frustrating. If you're looking for a challenge,
this is the first place you'll want to stick your
nose. Fans of the series know how difficult this game
can be and that's a major part of the appeal. Both
games are relatively short but they instigate a lot
of replay value as you try to see if you can better
your last score and find alternative paths and other
secrets.

I
don't want to scare off newbies with all this talk
of difficulty, and neither do the developers, because
the game includes unlimited continues. I know that
some purists may find that sacrilegious but you don't
have to use them if you don't need them. At the same
time it does simplify the gameplay and lowers the
bar. Getting though the game isn't as mighty an accomplishment
as it used to be. It does pander to mediocre players
that won't take the time to develop the necessary
skills to get through the game with only a handful
of lives as per the arcade version. But don't tell
me that you never used a cheat code in your life.

Metal
Slug is a non-stop, action-packed game. It's violent
and funny as you use machine guns, rockets, lasers
and various Slug Tanks to battle enemies that range
from robots to pirates with the occasional Big Foot
thrown in for comic relief.

The
tanks include standard tanks, sub tanks and jet tanks.
When you leave the relative safety of a Slug Tank
you will be able to jump, dash and shoot. In the Fifth
version you will have a forward slide move that you
can use to get underneath certain obstacles. It's
here you'll find more goodies and shortcuts but you
can also be lured into traps so be careful.

Metal
Slug 4 tends to rehash the series by reusing the same
enemies, locations and Slug Tanks. It even recycles
the same sound effects. The Fifth version features
new additions and a new storyline. There are new characters,
tanks and bosses. The storyline is even more bizarre
but the challenge is as formidable as ever. Both games
can be played through in less than an hour but it
might take a lot longer if this is your first experience
with the series. If it is your first experience the
Fourth version will be all new to you so disregard
the beginning of this paragraph.

The
controls are perfect. They are tight and responsive.
With so many things coming at you you can't be screwing
around with loose controls. The graphics are 2D and
not exactly beautiful. I know that the graphics are
supposed to replicate the arcade version as closely
as possible but I don't recall seeing so much aliasing
on the arcade game. The music is militarily-themed
and really comes alive in the Fifth version.

If
you're undecided then you're probably not a true fan
of the series. I would suggest renting this first
as you might not appreciate kicking it old-school.